Eugene Murray

Assistant Manager for the Boys Under 12’s, Committee Member – I also look after Publicity and Media for the club.

Q2. What was your motivation for getting involved?

I had helped before when my eldest lad wanted to play football but didn’t have a proper understanding of the make up of the club so that was short lived. However when my youngest lad took up playing for the team I was asked to help and jumped in with both feet. To see the lads enjoying playing football, learning, improving and feeling good about themselves is all the motivation needed!

Q3. What do you feel makes the club so special?

There’s a genuine feeling of togetherness, the phrase Green Army has developed overtime and represents the club really well – the amount of work that the likes of Antony, Lisa, Kirk, Matt, Ian, Tony and others put in is staggering , if only players and parents knew how much time these people sacrificed it would blow their socks off – but its the amount of people willing to help out that really creates the one club feeling.

Q4. How would you describe your coaching style?

Improvement through encouragement for sure. When assisting Kirk with the Under 12’s I tend to get asked to focus on the newest players to the game so that they can get specific development training in smaller groups and its great to see what an arm around players can do for their own belief in themselves.

Q5. What is your favourite part of the coaching experience / your role in the club ?

Seeing specific improvements really taking shape – as an example I did some free Kick work with a couple of players leading up to a game, come match day one fo the lads scores a direct freekick using the techniques we’d practiced. Fantastic stuff. Equally seeing lads that may have thought football wasnt for them simply due to a lack of confidence blossom and develop is really rewarding.

Q6. Who was your biggest playing or coaching influence and why?

I had a teacher called Mr Brophy who taught me not to be afraid on a football pitch – don’t be worried about mistakes, the strength of the opposition, even the ball when its lamped at you! I think thats something i’ve carried with me through life really, not just in sport.

Q7. If there was one part of the game (or your role if non coaching ) you would change what would it be?

That all youth coaches, supporters, players understand the effect they have on young players – that criticising and negativity when your managing or cheering these kids on has a real effect on their confidence and application.

Q8. If you could give your playing self one piece of advice , what would it be?

Don’t coast at any time – I wished I trained harder and put more effort in. Sometimes we think we’ve done enough when all we are really telling ourselves is don’t do anymore. I wasnt good enough to go far in football as a player, but I should still have taken it as a far as I could have.

Q9. What’s your most fond memory from your time within EBUFC?

Seeing my lad Sam win Players Player of the Year, then seeing Bob do it also! Although the time I threw a ball across the pitch and it bounced clean of the head of Kirk also comes to mind. It made a proper “ping” noise and everything.

Q10.What would you say to a player considering joining EBUFC?

Do you need a lift? (bit of an in joke, I’m like a bus driver to the Under 12’s)